Raymond Earl Gratton, 83, a longtime resident of Warren, passed away peacefully at the Vergennes Residential Care Home on Easter Sunday evening, April 12, 2020. Born in Colchester on October 20, 1936, he was a son of the late Arthur and Elinor (McDonald) Gratton. On August 31, 1963, he married the love of his life, Marcella (Brooks), in Middlesex.
Raymond as a boy grew up on a farm in Waitsfield and as a young man worked in construction as a carpenter. With the founding and development of the Sugarbush ski area, Raymond was one of their original employees, which meant that he was well versed in all aspects of trail construction and maintenance, grooming, plowing and facilities maintenance. He retired following 20-plus years of service. In his leisure time he enjoyed vegetable gardening, sharing his cucumbers and abundant rhubarb patch with friends and family.
Raymond is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marcella Gratton of Warren; his daughter, Cindy Gebo and her husband David; his stepdaughter, Priscilla Remick and her husband Harry; three grandchildren, David, Angelia and Christian; a great-granddaughter, Samantha; as well as nieces, nephews and extended family. Raymond was the youngest male and the last surviving of eight children.
Services will be held privately. Interment will take place in Warren Village Cemetery. Arrangements are in the care of Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waterbury. To send online condolences visit www.perkinsparker.com or the funeral home Facebook page.
